St. Landry democrat., 1887-09-10

some misgivngs in the heart of jealous
lover, but scarcely enough to bring that
swift greenish pallor to his face. 1t was the
ink did that, for the address was written with
red ink, and Tom had a bottle OF red INK IN
his room and Just such a delicate gray shade
of paper with envelopes to match like this
in his hand. 1t was clear as day that Bar
clay Leonard had written this letter to her.
and she-she was crying. Was it because
he had given her up? Not exactly pleasant
thought for Tom, but it relieved slightly
the tight grip of the unseen fingers which
had clutched his heart. Should he step
forward and give her the letter? They We're
coming now to q corner where their ways
would part; but no, she did not turn III
the direction of her home; she kept
straight on, never pausing till she reached
the door of his mothers house. lie
saw it open and close behind her, and
then the doubts. the fears, the evil SllEGeS-
tons of his mind arose and mastered
him. In his heart he cursed the false friend
who had fooled him with that prctense OF Civ
ing her up. OF course it was only pretenSe :;
why else should he write to her and have
her come to him but there was way to
make sure. Tom never stopped to think that
the best way would be to 90 straight IN at
his own door and have an open understand
ing with thetwo. \ friend Of his had a room
in the house across the street, and up to that
room Tom hurried, though quite aware that
Jack was not yet home. Once when the two
were sitting there together Jack had laugh
Cd y TO
self straight at this time of day, young
man, for | can look over into your room
and see what you are about as plain as |
see you here.
1t was the memory of this remark which
hurried him to Jacks window. Sure enough,
the sun was just sinking behind the further
roofs and his own room was flooded with
the roSeAte light He was in time to see the
door there open and Jessie come in. Barclay
was up, in dres>ing-gown and SLIPPERS
looking wonderfully improved since
the morning, but probably he was changed
to her eyes, for she broke down and
began to cry when she saw him. Tom gritted
his teeth, and fell to wondering what they
were saying to each other. Whatever it was,
Jessie was soon comforted, for she began to
sparkle and flush and smile in a way which
he knew well, which had warmed his heart
and drawn it out toward her often. but that
heart now lay cold and heavy as lead. He
did not think it could grow heavier,
until, of q sudden, she went close to Barclay
Leonard and STOPPING down, kissed him.
Then Tom covered up his eyes and swore a
great oath. Curse him, curse him, curse
Ii
How that thought grew and filled him
There was pistol on Jacks table, Tom did
not know that it was empty and the cylinder
rusted fast; he only thought how easy it
would be to send ball crashing into his
rivals brain. The demon of murder was
awake in him. Time and again he perpe-
trated that bloody deed in his thoughts be-
fore he tore himself away from the place,
rushing from the house and the neighbour
hood as if he dare not trust himself further.
He was so tired that he could scarcely drag
one foot after the other by the time he came
back. 1t was close upon midnight. Nearly